8 QUESTIONS WITH SCOTT GORDON
On Tavares, toughness and the mystery photo
3:50 pm - Like our draft wrapup with Garth Snow, here’s a brief phone conversation with Scott Gordon from today on some storylines surrounding John Tavares. Many of you will be happy to know that Scott told me, “Contrary to what you might believe, I’m a big proponent of that aspect of the game.” He was talking about the role of enforcer.
Did you speak with John Tavares at the draft?
Not too much, just mostly said hello. He had so many media demands in Montreal. I’ll speak to him soon, I’m sure.
I would think your personalities would be a good fit. You’re a good teacher for young players, you both seem like you keep it close to the vest but can also wise-ass. Do you have a feel for him yet?
Not yet, but I plan on talking to Ryan Jankowski and the scouts about John and all the players we drafted. I want to know about their strengths and weeknesses, their personalities. It’s important I have as much information on them as possible before they come in for development camp. Of course, John is a particularly important prospect for us so that relationship is key.
Greg Logan quoted an NHL source saying that you give “a little leeway,” but you’re “not going to let John do what he wants.” Can you respond to that?
There are different expectations for different players. For me, it all comes down to success rate. If you have the success rate making a move, or doing something that’s unique to you, you will have leeway. John is a special talent. It goes without saying that he and Mark Streit and Doug Weight are going to get more leeway being creative than maybe some others would.
Last season I spoke with Kyle Okposo about playing the off-wing. He was all for it, I gave it a try and it didn’t work out. Then I talked to him about playing the point on the power play. He told me he played it in Minnesota and wanted the opportunity. I laughed and joked, “Yeah, you said the same thing about the off-wing.” But we gave it a shot and Kyle was so good, I sometimes had him at the point on 4-on-4. So it’s all up to the player, our communication, and his success rate. I’m looking forward to working with John. He’s such a gifted and smart offensive player that I’m sure he can teach me a few things.
Do you know where you’d like to play him, and with who?
Everyone wants to know that, but it’s too early. I’ve watched 160 clips from 9 of John’s games. Watching those clips and seeing John in person are totally different views. The development camp allows us to get a better feel. Even then it will be a work-in-progress. A few people have asked me about line combinations and have run a bunch of them by me. I told them I liked those combinations because they assume everyone is healthy. Sometimes lines have a way of working themselves out.
There’s been the notion that maybe John is better off moving to wing for his first season or two. I’m not smart enough to understand the merits of coming off center. Are there any?
Garth and Ryan and I have not met about that yet, and we don’t have a meeting scheduled on that subject. Again, I would talk to John about that first before sharing our plans anywhere else.
Whether you have a fighter play on John’s line or not, would you like to have an enforcer in the lineup most nights?
Contrary to what you might believe, I’m a big proponent of that aspect of the game. I still remember a great conversation I had with Mike O’Connell when I was in Providence about the merits of toughness. We always had that element in the Boston system. Sometimes it’s about finding the right guy.
He needs some time to work on other areas, but I really liked what Joel Rechlicz brought to our team last season. In that win in Detroit, Joel went 90 miles per hour across the rink to get Henrik Zetterberg. If a whistle hadn’t blown, he was about to get Pavel Datsyuk. That makes a huge difference.
But there are players like Colton Orr who are heavyweights but their coaches trust them for 10 minutes or more. I saw Tom Renney put Orr on the ice protecting one-goal leads a lot the last two years.
Sometimes it just comes down to finding the right guy. He can’t be a liability. For the right player, I would not discourage it at all.
Comments.
43 Responses to 8 QUESTIONS WITH SCOTT GORDON
On Tavares, toughness and the mystery photo
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matt says:
Yes we need colton orr. would be great for all the youngsters.
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isles99 says:
orr would be number 1 on my list cause he is a monster but brian mcgratton would be the next guy i want if we miss orr. anyways, i want the isles to rid themselves of players like tambellini, jackman, freddy myer, jack hillen and maybe trade a guy like hunter who has a reasonable contract as these guys are not skilled players and take up a lot of space. i would like to see the islanders add a scoring winger with ufa period.
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Dan L says:
i wouldnt mind chris neil either
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Joe in Massapequa says:
Tavares, Okposo, Baily, Neilson, Bergenheim, Comeau, Hunter, Tambellini, Weight, Park, Neil, Orr, Brashear, Antripov, Boogaard. Ok, the first 10 forwards are a lock in my opinion and i would take one of Neil or Orr and then have the final forward spot with a BST. Maybe Joensuu, Iggulden, or Thompson for that final spot.
I liked Gordon’s answers, especially with the role of an enforcer. Hopefully we can keep the regulars on the ice this year and not see as many injuries and make a HUGE step forward to the rebuild.
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beatlebailey says:
cannot wait for the season to start!! when does the schedule come out??
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Chris Mc says:
#5. Im pretty sure Tim Jackman would play before Joensuu, Iggulden, and even Gordons boy Thompson this year
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mapisles2025 says:
Interesting note about Colton Orr…He played on the Providence Bruins from 2002 to 2005.
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Doug says:
Oh just call me old fashioned – but – do not rule out sending him back to London for another year. It’s not the popular route to the top of the game but it’s a quicker route in the long run.
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Akeem says:
Interesting what he said about Rechlicz. Sounded like he thought Rechlicz, with more time, could become one of those players.
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kevin fitz says:
Doug – you mean send JT back to juniors? What does he have left to prove? He has the most goals ever. Looks like he is ready to move on.
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G. HOWITT says:
jon nasty mirasty get him a the cheap $$$
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Izzy Franchise says:
Doug..not a chance.
If it were Rechlicz, id be fine with that. I’d like to see what he can do with a lil more ice time.
If we went outside the team…I’d like Neil over Orr.
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Doug there is not a shot in hell he’s going anywhere but to Uniondale. Not when this team needs him. He would have to have a horrific camp. I doubt it.
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Benjamin K says:
Absolutely agree with Kevin…EXCEPT!!!
he has stated he needs to work on his conditioning and his skating in quite a few interviews…He could work on all those aspects of his game in juniors -
Danielle says:
I will miss that physical side with Joel Rechlicz this time around. I thought he was just starting to kick some ass last season.
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CT Isles Fan says:
Here is my first unit PP:
Okposo – Tavares – Hunter
Weight – Streit
Hunter moves to the front of the net after face off and Tavares, being a lefty, sets up for a snipe on the left side of the net. Maybe Weight and Okposo change positions depending on how the puck is moving.
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I must have missed Jackman but there are 11 guys that I listed who are ‘locks’ to make the team. I have a hard time seeing it any different unless a trade or two is made.
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Tavares #1 says:
No thanks Doug. KO made the jump so can he.
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I like Chris Neil, if he were to be available to the Islanders. Colton Orr is an enforcer who can play well enough to get minutes, whereas Neil is a more skilled player who is willing and able to fight anyone. (I hope that sentence make sense). I think the big difference IMO is that Neil could take a regular shift with Tavares if needed, while Orr couldn’t.
I would be happy with either of those guys though. Like I said in the other post, there aren’t many guys who can play 10+ minutes AND be legitimate enforcers. We need to get one of them, at any cost.
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islesfan999 says:
We need to make some trades. We need like 3 bigger players.
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Tambellini is no lock IMO to make this team. I think he may have to earn a spot on this team in camp depending on what the Isles do in the FA market.
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avolp55turgeonfichaud says:
Really nice answers from Gordo. I really cannot wait to see who JT gets paired up with and how they play together. I’m sure it will change many times throughout the season but hopefully JT can find a nice scoring buddy in Kyle Okposo or Tambellini. That would be HUGE for us if JT helped Jeff Tambellini (JT #2, now) grow out of his diapers. If Tambellini takes a big step forward this year as a result of playing with Tavares, maybe we will extend his contract in hopes he could be 30-40 goal scorer for us in the top-6.
CB- how well do you think Jeff Tambellini needs to play this year in order to earn himself a new deal? Goals, assists, plus/minus? IMO, he needs to look like a different player this year if he even wants a chance… unless of course he takes the route of grinder which he seemed to be gravitating towards during the last twenty games of the 2009. I’d really like to hear your opinions on Jeff Tambellini Chris, and maybe even a prediction on his future with the Isles based on what you’ve seen.
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Fearthewrecker says:
Didn’t Scott have Orr with Providence?
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One thing to keep in mind is that, unlike most draft picks, Tavares can go to Bridgeport if he struggles because he came into the OHL at 15 as an exceptional player. He should start the season on Long Island and stay there, but with a bad camp or if he hits a road bump along the way, Bridgeport is where he’ll end up.
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Priest, like Bailey last year, I don’t think Tavares will be old enough to play in the AHL this year. There is no way he is going back to juniors either. He is going to be on the Islanders all year, no debate about that.
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Vlad from Brooklyn says:
“He’s such a gifted and smart offensive player that I’m sure he can teach me a few things.” I like the soud of it. But wait, who is teaching who? I think it showes how much respect Flash has for JT.
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Guys, if Bailey can make the jump to the NHL, JT will as well. Road bumps, bad camps…. doesnt matter. He’s on LI for the season.
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MSA says:
Hey Chris, at least you now know for sure that GoGo reads your blog, based on his response to your enforcer question!
Hello Scott! Congrats on the nod to your Olympic coaching gig!!!
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Crackhead Theo says:
Guys…Colton Orr sucks. He has 11 points in 245 games and is a career -30. Clearly a Liability when he isnt punching someones face in. I would like the intimidating presence but there are guys out there who would be much more useful then him for the NYI. He would be useless with the exception of fighting. No thanks…
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I guess Orr would be better than what we have but for some reason I want Rechlicz to work out.
I prefer Chris Neil overall, would be really happy with that.
I kind of miss Asham actually…I’m so psyched for Wednesday, I know they said to not expect movement but I am thinking its another Garth Snow tactic. -
Frei says:
I’m glad to see that Gordon can appreciate special talent and is prepared to recognize it as he weaves lines into the “system”.
I sure hope JT can teach Gordon something about offense, since JT is an offensive superstar, and Gordon is a goalie. Did I mention there seem to be a lot of them around here, goalies?
CB, The biggest merit of “coming off center” is decreased defensive responsibility and a little more margin for error coming back into your own zone. Both good things for the kid as he gets his NHL legs.
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Strummer's Army says:
Nice to read Gordon talking about he understands the importance of toughness on the team but I’ll believe it when I see him and Snow acting on it.
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ufa info.. says:
Islanders should sign Eminger and maybe stewart from florida. Both were not given offers..
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Blizzard says: I am all for an Enforcer. A badass one too. I like the wrecker, but we need someone who can play some minutes. I also like Gordon. I think he is the perfect coach for these young Islanders.
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admin says:
Friends: Just one guy suggested Tavares stay in junnior. You all know there’s no chance in heck that’s happening. Tavares is playing for the NYI next season. Next subject, please, as long as it’s also not Jeff Tambellini. Thanks…CB
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19 ISLE in NJ 22 says:
Seems like Gordo feels like the majority of us do … he’d like an enforcer … but one that can do other things on the ice as well … not just eat up bites of time … I hope that he nudges Garth on the need for some toughness that can also skate and participate in key plays.
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I guess it’s that time of the year already for the coach … time to evaluate his players and get to know some of the new prospects as well.Look forward to seeing Scott at Rookie Camp … for all intensive purposes this is his first Rookie camp too since he wasn’t on board when Isles’ held theirs last year.
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Oh … and CB… What’s with Gordon’s “Hello” answer when you asked if he’d spoken to John Tavares?
LOL!! Seriously … is that all he said? LOL!!! Couldn’t even squeeze in a hand shake and say “Congratulations John … we look forward to you joining the organization … Can’t wait to see you at Rookie Camp.”
Come on Scott!!! Give us a bit more than that.
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art says:
Stop with Tambellini. Send him out West to his fathers team where he is GM. We can use his space in the lineup. Tambellini is not another Bertuzi who we gave up on, rather he is another Raffe Torres who never made it.
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Good little interview with Gordon!
Im happy with what he is saying, too.Akeem (10): Yeah that is what it sounded like, and I agree!
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Real mattyboy's of Long Island says:
I’m on the side that strongly disagrees with the notion of easing Tavares in on wing. This isn’t some softy euro who’s gonna be intimidated. With a kid like this you let him fail. If he’s as good as we thionk he’s going to be he won’t get there by being coddled right off the bat…by effectively telling him he isn’t good enough to play a position he’s been better than his peers and most older kids his entire life. Let his first failure be HIS. This is the type of kid that is “the man” because he wants to be “the man.” If he struggles in camp at center and seems to be losing confidence you bring it to HIM…”You wanna simplify John and take some simple shifts on right wing?” It’s not about letting the kid dictate it’s about hopefully creating a leader and a man and a champion we will WANT dictating the fates of this org. Don’t tell him he’s not good enough. Let HIM tell you and he just might never.
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cgs878 says:
I hope that Mr. Gordon grows as an NHL head coach along with his young guys who are learning the NHL. He seems like a decent guy who’s actually trying to figure things out.
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Wayne_Nasty says:
COLTON ORR!!! COLTON ORR!!! COLTON ORR!!!
I hope we get a enforcer. Good to hear he seems to want one.